40 architects

under 40

"Who are the Richard Rogers, Norman Fosters, Tadao Andos and Richard Meiers of tomorrow? Who will be designing the landmark buildings of the 21st century?" This is how '40 Architects Under 40' opens - and there the rot begins.

Focusing on the star element of architecture without delving into philosophies and processes, author Jessica Cargill Thompson, a frequent contributor to Wallpaper magazine, has opted for the easy route. As a result she publishes safe, relatively high profile choices, creating a picture book which amounts to little more than a popular magazine 'Who's Hot' feature.

Drawing a line at age forty seems an odd choice from the outset. Given the lengthy process of accreditation and realizing built work, the thirties are the early years. The author's process of selection continues by excluding young firms who have yet to produce what she calls "mega projects". By this criterion Cargill Thompson has dramatically shrunk an already narrow category. How this group are then asserted to "represent a cross-section of the best in their field" is a leap in logic you may not be willing to make.

To be fair, '40 Architects Under 40' is an attractive, clear, well designed coffee table book. It contains general information on each practice which is a good starting point at least. In an unusual practice, it also lists phone numbers and personal email addresses for most architects.

Aside from the fact that the choices are highly Eurocentric - all of North and South America, Asia and Africa are represented by only twelve firms - the book provides a solid list of today's most prominent young architects. Sweden's Thomas Sandell, Japan's Shigeru Ban and Dutch firm MVRDV are among the better known.

However, by reading Cargill Thompson's introductory essay, which isn't so much an essay as an expanded index, and her mostly descriptive text accompanying the photography, I have learned very little about any of the architects. What are their philosophies, their processes and influences? In what context should their work be considered?

Featured architects are only rarely allowed a one or two sentence quote in which to sum up their life's work. Given that Cargill Thompson clearly had all the contact information necessary to talk to these architects, the question remains, why didn't she?